Bailen stars in RPI's two wins over Mercyhurst

By Matt Graves

Published 11:12 pm, Saturday, November 17, 2012

TROY — Nick Bailen is a defenseman, but his offensive contributions played a major role in RPI's much-needed weekend sweep of non-conference foe Mercyhurst that sidelined a seven-game winless streak.

Bailen, a 5-9 senior and former All-ECAC blueliner, assisted on two goals Saturday — after scoring a pair Friday — to lead the Engineers to a 4-1 victory over the Lakers that gave freshman goaltender Jason Kasdorf a victory in his first collegiate start at Houston Field House.

"It's a step in the right direction," RPI coach Seth Appert said. "Tonight was a good challenge against a good hockey team. It was a real good third (period)."

Following a scoreless first period in which RPI failed to capitalize on a 12-3 shots advantage, the Engineers fell behind at 7:25 of the second because of some sloppy penalty killing. Mercyhurst peppered Kasdorf with seven shots on its first power play of the game and finally got one past him on a rebound off the stick of Chris Bodo at the left post.

RPI tied the game at 15:13 of the second when Bailen made a nice play to take the puck away from a Lakers forward and keep the pressure on. Bailen skated in on right wing and found freshman Mark Miller open near the right post for his first collegiate goal.

Another big play came at the start of the third when the Engineers were forced to kill off a power play to start the session, then took the lead 26 seconds later when Jacob Laliberte scored his fifth goal of the season off another nice pass through the slot from Bailen.

The Engineers (3-5-2), playing without injured captain C.J. Lee, made it 3-1 when goalie Justin Tibbett couldn't clear a shot by Greg Burgdoefere from the left circle at 7:33.

Kasdorf, a 6-foot-4 draftee of the Winnipeg Jets, had appeared in only one period entering this game.

"I wanted to do well," Kasdorf said. "I tried to stay calm, but on the inside I was a little nervous. The team was amazing in front of me."